EPISODE ONE.
Settling in South Eastern Nigeria has been challenging after spending almost a decade in the Northcentral and Northwestern Nigeria, in the Northern part of Nigeria, life was entirely different, food stuff were very affordable, much people are not struggling to acquire more, larger percentage of people very are comfortable and are happy with the little they have, you don’t have to worry about being cheated that much and you can always find help on the street unlike in the Southeastern Nigeria where goods and commodities are really very expensive and the competitive to acquire more is on the high side, help cannot be easily found on the street. But then you will always be inspired by people to be more, to go all out for your dreams, you are inspired not to be lazy, you are inspired by your environment to be educated and thrive.
I remembered wearing Hijab on one faithful day, I bet you!! You don’t want to hear the experience I had that day. It was not funny at all. But I made more friends from the northerners who resided here Southeastern Nigeria precisely Owerri, Imo State and some of them even want to more than a friend. A large number didn’t believe I am Igbo by tribe.
It was one of these days in my normal casual wear that I actually went to eat and then a friend recommended a restaurant close by in that vicinity and I tried it out and it was absolutely great, not only the size of the food was more than enough, the price was friendly and the place was extremely neat and the owner was a very nice woman and I was so glad I came across such a place. Then I discovered how people who were also eating there were staring at me that first day especially when I ordered for Fufu and Oha soup (local Nigerian food). After eating I paid and as I was about leaving, I noticed how people were murmuring and I began to imagine what could have prompted such reactions, I equally observed I was the only female who came there to eat that moment, others were male. Then I decided that I will visit again and again, the reason for my decision was to understand why they people there reacted in such manner. As I keep visiting, I also observed that women who come there to eat were brought by men or have their bill being taken care of by men. I introduced to the woman about liquid soap and germicide products produced by me as I run a chemical hygienic manufacturing company and this company produces liquid soap, Vaseline, germicide, bleach, among others, selling in wholesale only at an affordable price can deliver anywhere in the world. I introduced the ones she can use both at home and in her restaurant. She quickly ordered for one cartoon of the liquid soap and germicide which I supplied, she liked the thickness and the perfume of the liquid soap and the packaging and even started advertising for me.
One day during one of my days of eating there, the husband to the owner of the restaurant whom also assist sometimes when he is not at work asked me why I am always mean. And I asked him what he meant by that and he replied that I hardly smile to people around here and it scares men away who have interest in me and he gave me an example with himself. That he likes me a lot and would want to know me better, I asked him on what ground because you are married, he laughed and was like it seem I don’t know how things work here. Let me tell you something he said, young ladies like you shouldn’t be eating in a restaurant alone, they are to make their food at home and eat, even if then want to eat in the restaurant, they shouldn’t order for fufu, it is a food for men and most ladies who come here are being brought by men or have their bills footed by men. They have never seen a young girl who eats here often and always pay her bills by herself. more reason why I need men like him to take care of me and because my life style will intimidate a man. I should be soft and loosen up like a lady.
I was surprised and then begin to imagine that this could be the reason for such reactions and murmuring anytime I came there and I then wondered who made these RULES?
